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August 5, 2009

Local contractor arrested again

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG

PLATTSBURGH — A local contractor accused of swindling an elderly couple out of thousands of dollars has been arrested again.

David LaDuke of Reasonable Renovations was first arrested late last month after he allegedly pocketed at least $10,000 from his job repairing an aging Chateaugay homestead.

Police believe the 47-year-old Schuyler Falls man inflated work hours, faked business records and “blantantly overcharged” the downstate couple, who hired him to renovate their recently purchased childhood home.

Authorities said the prices and materials did not match the minimal work that was completed.

With the job still undone, the couple have temporarily delayed their return to the area and are now using alternative resources to complete the renovations, police said.

LaDuke was released from custody after he posted $20,000 bond for charges of grand larceny, offering a false instrument for filing and falsifying business records.

With those charges still pending in Franklin County, the self-employed handyman was arrested this week in connection with an unrelated larceny.

Plattsburgh-based State Police investigators believe LaDuke recently opened an account at a local Community Bank, where he allegedly used a counterfeit check for nearly $2,500.

After being contacted by bank officials, police charged LaDuke Tuesday with fourth-degree grand larceny and second-degree possession of a forged instrument.

Investigators said LaDuke has not repaid the bank.

He was released from custody after posting $600 bail and will reappear in court later this month to face the allegations.

Police are continuing to investigate the alleged renovation scam and said additional charges are likely.



E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com

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